Silverman, who retired from Winthrop in December, was given a framed certificate
signed by S.C. Governor Henry McMaster by fellow History Professor and York Mayor
Eddie Lee. The Order of the Silver Crescent is the state's highest civilian award for significant
contributions, leadership, volunteerism, and lifelong influence within a region or
community and is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement.
YORK, SOUTH CAROLINA — Winthrop University Professor Emeritus of History Jason Silverman was presented the Order of the Silver Crescent at a March 21 ceremony at York City
Hall attended by many of his former students.
Silverman, who retired from Winthrop in December, was given a framed certificate signed
by S.C. Governor Henry McMaster by fellow History Professor and York Mayor Eddie Lee. The Order of the Silver Crescent is the state's highest civilian award for significant contributions, leadership,
volunteerism, and lifelong influence within a region or community and is a once-in-a-lifetime
achievement.
Lee said he nominated his colleague in Winthrop's Department of History because of Silverman's scholarship, his teaching achievements and his dedication
to improving education in South Carolina. "Dr. Silverman's legacy are the students
here tonight," he said. "They were trained by him, and they thank him for being such
an inspiring mentor."
Silverman spent the last 33 years teaching Southern history at Winthrop and another
seven years at Yale University. He served eight years on the Rock Hill School Board and was selected as the 1990 S.C. Governor's Professor of the Year and the 1991 Winthrop College Distinguished Professor.
Silverman said he was extremely honored to receive the state's highest civilian honor.
"I am so proud to be able to share the award presentation with so many former students,"
he said. "I have been blessed in my career to have incredibly loyal students."
Tapped as the Ellison Capers Palmer Jr. Professor of History at Winthrop in 2011, Silverman used the designation to research and publish a book
on Abraham Lincoln's view of immigrants. The book was hailed for uncovering a little
researched area in the 16th president's life and has enabled Silverman to speak on
the topic at key Lincoln-associated sites in Illinois and Washington, D.C., and at
several academic conferences.
In retirement on the South Carolina coast, Silverman continues to research Lincoln
and his many contributions to American democracy. His wife, Susan, who worked in Winthrop's
Dacus Library for three decades, also retired in December.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
